Dear Colleagues,
Mark Schapiro of the magazin "The Nation" has just called, indicating, that
their next week's issue will carry a major article on the Danube and it will
come down squarely on the side of the international NGOs and will favor
international and American efforts to save the Szigetkoz. This will be the
first national magazin article on the Danube issue. It is that first step we
were all working and waiting for. It could ignite the interest of the media
and it is (also) up to us, to make sure, that it does.
I also received a request for an article from European, asking for data on
J.P. Morgan's involvement in helping the Slovak Construction Lobby to
confront the International Court of Justice with a fait accompli. If it does
get published, we will have taken an other small step.
I also received a report, that yesterday (Friday), the Danube issue, for the
first time, made the "Issues of Concern" list of the Vice President. Because
to make that list, took a lot of letters, I do thank all of you who wrote.
Yet, this is only the first step, much more is needed in the coming
days/weeks, before we reach our goal and Al Gore speaks up for the Szigetkoz,
or asks Secretary Albright to do so.
Therefore, please get everybody on your personal mailing list involved.
Believe me, it makes a difference, when we receive a personal letter from a
friend. Don't be shy, you are not doing anything in self-interest, you are
doing something for them and for all of us. Do ask your friends to contact
their friend. Ask them to send the attached form letter as a "chain letter,"
if they have no time to write their own, but please write and ask. Next week
will be a critical one. Please help.
Best regards: Bela Liptak
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Please send this or a similar letter TODAY!
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The Honorable Al Gore
Vice President of the United States
(e-mail: )
RE: Please Help Save the Blue Danube
Dear Mr. Vice President,
I want to congratulate you on this day of your inauguration for a second
term. I would also likew to thank you for having spoken up for the Danube
River on August 21, 1993.
It seems to be time for you to speak up again, as mankind is approaching an
importanat precedent: The first international environmental lawsuit is coming
up in a few weeks at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
The Court will decide on a case involving the Danube and the destruction of
its ancient wetland region, the Szigetkoz. (Szigetkoz, loosely translated,
means "The Region of a Thousand Islands," but today there is not a single
island left, as the water is gone.)
Still, the implications of this case go beyond the future of just one river
or just one wetland ecosystem. This lawsuit will set a precedent for the
whole planet and will decide on a much more basic question: "Do
national governments have the right to do as they please with the ecosystem
of this planet, or does mankind as a whole, have the right to protect her
natural
treasures?"
In 1995, nine international environmental NGOs have submitted a "Memorial" to
the Court, which its president, the Honorable Mohammed Bedjaoui has accepted.
Also submitted to the ICJ was a Compromise Plan, which would guarantee the
restoration of this ancient wetland region together with fulfilling the
water supply, energy and shipping needs of the region. For details of this
plan and for other aspects of the lawsuit, please visit the web-site at:
http://www.goodpoint.com/duna.htm
Dear Mr. Vice President. It is important that the first international
environmental lawsuit be given the attention it deserves by the media. A
statement by you, can guarantee that attention. Please make that statement.
Respectfully yours,
Your name, title, address